Articles Monday, January 04 2021
God has given power and authority for Christians to act as free people. "For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God" (1 Peter 2:15–16 ESV). For this freedom, Christians obey the governing authorities but obey God over government (Titus 3:1–2; Acts 4:19; 5:29). While Christians live as free, how can Christians stand against oppression and tyranny (cf. Isaiah 1:23; Micah 7:3)? As has been said many times, if the righteous, God-fearing, pro-family, pro-life, hardworking, and freedom-loving people stay out of politics, then who does that leave to make policies under which we live and struggle to survive? The whole of the Christian life is freedom in full action against the oppression of evil. The Scriptures do not depict the church forming armies or ministers acting as informants to assassinate government officials (Ephesians 6:12; cf. 2 Corinthians 10:4). What can the faithful do especially when the "authorities" are illegitimate and act contrary to their laws and promises?
The church has a number of ways to stand against oppression and tyranny:
God brings justice to evil rulers (2 Thessalonians 1:6–9; cf. Psalm 2:10–12; 125:3). Throughout the Old Testament, God demonstrated His providential wrath on evil rulers and evil nations. The Israelite prophet Daniel declared, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings” (Daniel 2:21). God has not changed. He will judge all. Thank God for His justice and mercy! |